Strategic Communications Officer

**Background**:
The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence
- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of his/her mandate and specific tasks given to him/her by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in his/her activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairman-in-Office, and co-ordinating tasks across the Secretariat. It groups horizontal services such as Executive Management, Communications and Media Relations, Legal Services, External Co-operation, Security Management, Gender Issues, Conference and Language Services, Central Records Management, and oversees the OSCE Document Centre in Prague (DCiP). The OSG ensures effective co-ordination of policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chairmanship, and management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The Communications and Media Relations Section (COMMS) advises and supports the Secretary General and the OSCE Chairmanship on their media and public relations activities and informs the public about the work of the OSCE. COMMS also advises and supports all OSCE Executive Structures (Secretariat, Field Operations and Institutions) on communication activities. COMMS produces and disseminates press releases, information materials and regular publications, maintains the public website and the Organization’s social media presence and promotes the OSCE’s values, principles and work.

**Tasks and Responsibilities**:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Media Relations Unit, and in co-ordination with the Media and Online Communication Officers, you will manage the strategic planning for the long-term storytelling of the OSCE and its activities. You will also provide guidance on the strategic consistency of the OSCE’s publications, online and print material, including strategic campaigns and outreach.

**More specifically, you will carry out the following duties**:
Managing the strategic planning for the long-term storytelling on the OSCE and its activities, including strategic campaigns and outreach; holding regular editorial meetings with colleagues in COMMS and maintains the Section’s editorial calendar;
Writing and curating compelling stories that speak to the work and the impact of the OSCE, demonstrating the role OSCE plays for our common security and inspiring others to engage with OSCE;
Editing the Organization’s strategic public written material to ensure they are in compliance with OSCE style guide;
Initiating, organizing and co-ordinating OSCE outreach events, targeted visit and briefing programmes;
Participating in COMMS duty system and maintaining the COMMS duty roster;
Performing additional tasks as assigned.

**Necessary Qualifications**:
First-level university degree in journalism, international relations or a related field in the humanities or social sciences;
A minimum of six years of professional experience in strategic communications, campaign planning/execution, editing and packaging of communication products for a broad audience;
Experience with public relations and writing convincingly and informally with a minimum of institutional jargon and expressing complex ideas simply;
Experience demonstrating political judgement and analytical skills and functioning in a deadline-driven multinational environment;
Professional fluency in the English language; excellent journalistic writing and editing skills in English. Knowledge of another OSCE official language is desirable;
Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;

**Remuneration Package**:
Monthly remuneration is around EUR 6,782 with the actual monthly salary depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

Please note that appointments are normally made at step 1